Peter and John were arrested after preaching to the crowds who gathered when they healed a crippled man at the Temple gate in Jerusalem. The next day they were brought before an assembly of the temple authorities, the political leaders and the religious lawyers. The assembly included Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and the whole high-priestly family. When the prisoners were on the stand in their midst, the assembled authorities inquired, “By what power, or on whose authority did you do what you have done?”

Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit as he answered them, saying, 

“Honourable members of the Assembly, respected dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen: if we are being questioned today over an act of kindness towards a person who had a disability; and if what you are wanting to know is how this man came to be made whole, then I am happy to give the answer to you and to all the people of Israel. Let it be on the public record that this man was healed, and is now standing before you in perfect health, on the authority of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. This Jesus in the one who you had killed on a cross, but who God raised from the dead. It is just as the scriptures said of him:

‘the stone that you builders got rid of
has become the centrepiece
on which everything depends.’

“It is through Jesus that we must all be saved and made whole, because there is no other authority on earth to which anyone can appeal that can save them and make them whole.”

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

You, LORD, are my guide in the wilderness;
there is nothing more I could need.

You set up camp in places of beauty and shelter;
you lead the way on secluded tracks
beside creeks of cool clean water.
I feel my spirit breathing freely again;
your reputation puts me at ease;
I leave the navigating to you, and follow.

Even if we hike through a perilous valley,
where crows keep a menacing watch,
fear will still not get the better of me.
As long as I stick with you
I know I’ll make the distance;
with a knife and a bit of rope
you seem able to tackle any challenge.

You cook up a feast for me,
as those who wanted to feed on me watch, frustrated.
You pamper me like an honoured guest
and constantly top up my glass.

My life feels charmed, each and every day.
Love, mercy and all good things
keep falling into my lap.

I’m with you for life, LORD,
where you go, I’ll go;
where you live, I’ll live.

©2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

It was the example that Jesus set in laying down his life for us that put us in the know about real love. If we would love, then we need to do likewise, and lay our lives on the line for one another. How on earth can people claim that the love of God is at home in their hearts if they turn their backs on their needy brothers and sisters, even though it is quite within their means to help?

My dear friends, let us love; really love. Let us make sure we’re not just talking the talk, but walking the walk: being fair dinkum about our love and expressing it in action. This kind of integrity between what we say and what we do is a sure sign that our lives are genuinely grounded in God’s truth. It enables us to hold our heads high when we approach God, even though self-doubts may be trying to make us feel guilty and fearful. Our record of integrity can reassure us at such times, because God knows everything and can overrule our self-accusations. So when we are doing what God tells us to do, and thus living lives that please God, we can rest assured that when we approach God with our requests, we will get a positive response, whether we feel we deserve it or not.

And what is it that God tells us to do? It is this: to throw in our lot with God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah, and all that he stands for, and to love one another just as Jesus instructed us to do. All who live as God tells us to live are living in God, and God is living in them. And if we want further proof that God is living in us, then we have the evidence of the Spirit that God has given us.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Jesus said:

“I am like a first-rate farmer. Have you noticed how easy it is to pick the difference between the real farmers and their hired hands. The real farmers would die for their herd if they had to, but the hired hands, who don’t own the stock themselves, don’t really care what happens to them. If a bushfire threatens the farm, the only thing the hired hands are concerned about is getting themselves to safety. They hit the road straight away, because they don’t give a toss what happens to the herd. The fire roars in, unopposed, and the stock are killed or scattered in all directions. I am the real thing. I know my own herd well, and they know me. It is just like the relationship between me and the Father – we know each other intimately. And I lay down my life for the stock. Not all the stock that belong to me belong to this herd, but they will respond to my voice just the same. It is my job to round them up too and unite them all in the one new herd with me as the farmer over them all. If you want to know why the Father loves me, it is because I lay down my life in order to start life anew. No one can take my life against my will, but I can choose to sacrifice it. I have the power to lay down my life, and I have the power to take it up again. This is the assignment the Father has given me.”

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Let us lift up our hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for with you as our shepherd, we need nothing more.

At the dawn of time you spread creation out like a banquet
and in love brought forth all life on the earth.
Through your prophets you promised a good shepherd,
who though rejected, would become the cornerstone
of salvation for every creature under heaven.

Your promise has been fulfilled in your Son,
Jesus of Nazareth,
who showed us the fullness of love
that lays down even its own life for others.
He was crucified, but you raised him from the dead,
and through his love we have the boldness to approach you.
Because he abides in us,
and in all who listen to his voice,
our cup overflows with goodness and love
and our feet find safe paths leading to your house
where we will live forever.

Therefore with .....

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

We give thanks for your Son,
Jesus of Nazareth,
who showed us your shepherding love
and laid down his own life for others,
and who now abides in us,
and in all who listen to his voice.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

(Preface reformatted for use apart from communion)

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for with you as our shepherd, we need nothing more.

At the dawn of time you spread creation out like a banquet
and in love brought forth all life on the earth.
Through your prophets you promised a good shepherd,
who though rejected, would become the cornerstone
of salvation for every creature under heaven.

Your promise has been fulfilled in your Son,
Jesus of Nazareth,
who showed us the fullness of love
that lays down even its own life for others.
He was crucified, but you raised him from the dead,
and through his love we have the boldness to approach you.
Because he abides in us,
and in all who listen to his voice,
our cup overflows with goodness and love
and our feet find safe paths leading to your house
where we will live forever.

Therefore, with our hearts lifted high,
we offer you thanks and praise at all times
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Jesus Christ is the good shepherd
who lays down his life for his sheep.
Though we have fallen short of his commandments,
through faith in his name we are saved
and raised to new life.

Sisters and Brothers,
  your sins are forgiven;
    be at peace.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Go now with your trust in the good shepherd,
and let us love, not just in words,
but in truth and action.
Believe in the name of Jesus Christ,
and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

And may God be at your side, even in valleys of death.
May Christ Jesus be the cornerstone of your life.
And may the Holy Spirit abide in you
....and tend you with love and mercy all the days of your life.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
   In the name of Christ. Amen.

©2003 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net